Pets Australia Issue 70 August 2017

Wildlife wonders | PETS

http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine August 33

Kangar

The kangaroo is a marsupial native to Australia. The

four primary species are the Red kangaroo, the Eastern

Grey kangaroo, the Western Grey kangaroo and the

Antilopine kangaroo, with the Red being the most

numerous and the most recently evolved.

Kangaroos can hop at between 20 and 25km/h, although

they have been known to reach speeds of up to 70km/h.

This animal is a strict herbivore and usually eats at

night or dusk, spending the days lounging in the shade

and getting some shut-eye.

Emu

The emu is our tallest living bird, clocking in at

between 1.6 and 1.9m high. With shaggy grey-brown

feathers and a naked head, neck and legs, this bird is

not capable of fl ight — but with such powerful legs,

it has no problems getting from A to B.

When an emu has mated at approximately two

years of age, the male will take care of the egg during

the 60-day incubation. He will then look after the

young for up to two years, while the female goes

off with another wondering group.

Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian devils are the largest carnivorous

marsupials in Australia today. With sharp,

powerful claws and a backwards-facing pouch,

they weigh between 10 and 12kg, depending on

sex. The white markings that pattern their chests

and rump are unique, with each devil having its

own mark — handy to assist with identifi cation.

This little critter is experiencing a decline in

population due to habitat destruction, but more

largely due to a strain of cancer. Since the fi rst case

of this back in 1996, it’s believed approximately

90 per cent of the population has been wiped

out. Devil facial tumour disease causes tumours

to form in and around the poor creature’s mouth,

ending in death often by starvation.

Thankfully, Devil Ark is here to help, setting

up a breeding program of disease-free devils

in New South Wales. This captive breeding

program sees the devils live in an environment

very similar to their native home. Since its

beginnings, the program has seen 150 devils

returned to the wild, making it the most

successful of its kind today. To lend your

support, visit devilark.org.au

FACT:

The piercing screech of the Tassie devil

is how it got its name. That, combined

with its ferocious temper and black

colour, is what prompted early settlers to

give the creature the moniker of “devil”.

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FACT

TasmanianDevil

FACT:

Similar to cows, kangaroos eat by

regurgitating the vegetation they

have swallowed, chewing it as cud,

and then swallowing it a second

time for fi nal digestion.

ughh

FACT:

Emus have three toes, with the underside

of these being fl attened into small pads to

help them over rough terrain.

FA

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